About a half dozen residents signed a letter last week addressed to village board members, asking trustees to reconsider the village code that limits the number of dogs per single-family home to two, and to one for apartments or condominiums.

A group of residents also plans to address trustees at tonight’s village board meeting, where board members will discuss the issue.

Residents argue allowing at least two dogs for multifamily units benefits both the animal and the owner.

“This is for small dogs mainly because dogs are pack animals,” said Lisa Kosel, coordinator of the petition to the village. “Small dogs can be very hyper, and they get depressed and lonely when they are alone.”

Kosel also said many residents move into the village unaware of the restrictions, which are the most limiting compared to surrounding communities.

“Some people can give up a pet very easily, while some people are very attached to them,” said Kosel, who gave up her Yorkie, Symon, when she moved to the Gleneagle Farm subdivision about 18 months ago. “It’s like giving up a child.”

Surrounding communities such as Algonquin, East Dundee, West Dundee, Huntley and Lake in the Hills make no distinction from the number of animals permitted in single-family residences from those permitted in multifamily units. Numbers range from two to four pets per household.

Only Gilberts sets different limits for single-family homes and multifamily units.

Trustee Paul Humpfer said he supports increasing the number of dogs allowed at the village code level, leaving homeowners associations to set their own rules.

“We can change the number of dogs by ordinance and if the multifamily housing unit is controlled, the association has the flexibility to set their own maximum,” Humpfer said.

Village President Bill Sarto said though he has not yet decided his vote, he does have some concerns.

“Some dogs are more aggressive and harder to handle than other breeds,” Sarto said. “That could cause a threat to the community if you get too many of those kinds of breeds together in one neighborhood.”

The board will discuss the item at tonight’s board meeting, 7:30 p.m. in the board room of village hall, 1200 LW Besinger Drive.